Jttmab,
Here in Canada, things are in turmoil regarding our national health care system. The provinces claim funding from the federal government has been reduced to run the services, and have been trying to get funding increased. The provincial government of Alberta just had a study of Medicare completed, and intends to implement changes unilaterally.The federal government is not at all happy, as Medicare is a federal program, and sparks are flying in both directions. The Liberal government of Jean Chretian has, in my opinion, been a disaster for our country, in that it refuses to address this issue because it might affect their popularity at the pools, and getting elected seems the only definable objective they have.Good government is low on the list, i believe. Holding on to power is their only goal.
However, one problem all universal health care systems have is paying for the service, and here i would like your thoughts. Somehow, with universal coverage, I believe we must somehow induce people to be more accountable for their own well-being , at least in areas of health where illness can be reduced or avoided by lifestyle changes.
For example, our government, like all others, legalizes tobacco, and then has to pay for the terrible illness that follows in many from years of using the substance.We also must deal with our diets that lead to terrible obesity, and it's effects on our health. I just had a friend have a knee replacement done. She is easily 150- 200 pounds overweight. The other knee is shot as well. In my mind, I believe her health problems are directly weight related and PREVENTABLE.Our society has come to believe that medicine can cure all our ills, and while amazing things are possible, the manpower and abilitly to pay for it are finite.And somehow, to ease the burden on out health care system, we must induce the people to be more responsible for their own well-being.Otherwise, the system we value will be done in by lack of funding, which is already causing physician shortages, bed closings in hospitals, and long delays for elective procedures.
Our system must firstly be available to treat unpreventable health problems,IMO, and secondarily to treat those which are preventable, to some extent, at least.If we are responsible for doing all we can to avoid the need for health care by taking care of ourselves, I think the system in salvagable.
Anyway, the comments and thoughts of all would be most appreciated. Maybe the ideas needed to repair this system are out there waiting to be found.
Carl |
